The rain dripped to a stop and I waited in the parking lot for the sun to appear. It felt like rainbow weather. As I searched the blank clouds, I heard a little boy shout, “Look! A rainbow!” and point down into the gasoline menagerie swirled in the puddle around his feet. My heart sank because I didn’t get my rainbow; his soared because he did.
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If you’ve ever written me a letter, postcard, napkin poem, valentines day card, picture, or anything made w/ love- chances are I still have it. Ive been collecting these little crumpled & faded proofs of love for years. Another reason the tangible written word shall never become obsolete.
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Excited to see Alice, the 8 year old daughter of my friends @kellyisnice and James, tonight. I met Alice last year shortly after James and Kelly rescued (adopted) her from the foster care system. I was leaving for India the next week to teach for @PictureChange and we talked about photography how far away India was. As I was walking to my car, Alice ran out the front door and breathlessly handed me a tiny, floppy kitten stuffed animal because I “might need it since I was going so far way.” I told her I’d give it to someone special over there.
I kept the kitten with me my entire 3.5 months in India and in Varanasi I met Daniel, a little boy who was living with his father in a 200 year old ashram (a holy place, not quite a temple). His mother left them when he was young and his father was bringing him up the best he could among the other devotees of the ashram. He was about Alice’s age and I figured out of all the people I met, he could use the traveling, floppy kitten the most.
I printed this photo of Daniel to give to Alice tonight, seeing as theyre both connected in some way, both special, chosen, loved, and are being raised by devoted people.
Sometimes I find myself keeping mental lists of how I’d change my family or my role in it. Then we’re all together on a holiday like today & I recognize the beauty of embracing the “imperfections” and learning how to love deeper. I love just how many ways my family puts ‘fun’ in ‘dysfunctional.’
“…but deep down in her heart she could feel that ineffable change from hopeless romantic to… amateur curmudgeon. What once brought gushes of love now evoked onsets of eye-rolls. C’est tragic. C’est practical.
She was a philanthropic curmudgeon, if such a thing exists. Ah! They do. The nuns. She always felt an affinity for the Sisters. She was not quite past her child bearing years, yet quite past believing in fairy tales and prince charmings. The only place remotely suitable for her seemed to either be the convent or the open road.”
~ lines from the book I’m writing in my head based on my current situation in life
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I thought I could see the end to my struggle, but the more I paddled, the further away my destination seemed to be. So, I stopped in the middle of the water, let the speedboats roar past me, and just enjoyed floating between heaven and earth.
By Katherine Chon, Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Persons, Administration for Children & Families
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation 150 years ago, beginning the long road to freedom for the hundreds of thousands enslaved in homes, on farms, and other forms of…
(Source: usagov)
James Vincent McMorrow - If I Had a Boat
If I had a boat, I would sail to you. Hold you in my arms, ask you to be true.
